Auburn fans dodged its worst nightmare when the university announced that Johni Broome will not need surgery on his shoulder, he injured Tuesday.

Bruce Pearl told the media Thursday afternoon that Broome’s availability for No. 16 Purdue this weekend is still up in the air.

“Johni, we got a positive report from the standpoint of no surgery required and no damage,” Pearl said. “He won’t practice [Thursday], but he will travel up there.”

“I couldn’t even tell you his status whether it’s questionable, not likely, we just don’t know. But the good news, it’s not a long-term problem.”

If Broome is not available, Auburn will lean on the frontcourt duo of Dylan Cardwell and Chaney Johnson.

Johnon erupted for his Auburn career-high 26 points in the Tigers 100-59 victory over Georgia State. However, hearing the news that his teammate was ok was all the gratification he needed this week.

“It was a great relief. Johni is a great player — in my opinion, national player of the year,” Johnson said. “To hear that he is day to day is a blessing, and a testament to his faith in God, his belief, and our belief in him.”

This will be Johnson’s first start with Auburn if its confirmed Broome is out. This year has been a resurging year for Johnson averaging 10.6 points shooting 62% from the floor.

“I’m preparing the same way I’ve been preparing the entire season. I stay in the gym; I love to work,” Jonhson said. Just continuing on what I need to focus on. Focus on my effort, my energy and my focus throughout the entire game.”

Cardwell added his remarks about Johnson even going as far to comparing him to an Auburn NBA star.

“Chaney’s a dog. He’s a work horse, and he’s the hardest worker that I’ve ever seen since probably Jabari (Smith),” Cardwell said. “What you guys saw the past game is nothing new. It’s something he’s always been working for, so he’s ready for the opportunity.”

No. 2 Auburn will meet No. 16 Purdue at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN.

For Pearl, his message to his team this week is to continue playing aggressive but minimizing the fouls.

“Well, we’ve got a gameplan with him and without him. Probably more without him but we’ll gameplan both,” Pearl said. “I’m sure Purdue, they’re not going to change how they play. But they know that without Johni, we would really be lacking for depth on the frontline and foul trouble could be a factor. We’ve got to defend without fouling.”